High Demand Occupations

Discover the occupations that are expected to have above-average opportunities over the coming decade. B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook: 2018 Edition report (the “Outlook”) provides the best information available about the kinds of jobs and skills that will be most in demand—overall and by region—for the next 10 years.

The High Demand Occupations list is a key part of the Outlook. You can find an explanation of the main factors influencing demand below. Detailed information on how this list is developed is available in the Labour Market Outlook report.

Light blue highlighted occupations in the table below are moving into balance. A moving to balance occupation is one where supply and demand for the occupation is moving into balance. If the trend continues in future years, the occupation may be removed from this list.

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Education level

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Occupation

Median Hourly Wage

Job Openings to 2028

Priority Health Occupations Identified by the B.C. Ministry of Health

Occupation

Median Hourly Wage

Employment

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WAGE RATE: For occupations with a “*”, the annual wage rate is provided, as the hourly wage rate is not available. In some cases, no wage data is available, and this is indicated with ‘N/A’.

HEALTH OCCUPATIONS WAGE DATA: For perfusionists, family physicians, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and dermatologists, wage data are from the B.C. Ministry of Health. They represent gross earnings before the payment of office and other overhead expenses. Wage data for other health occupations are from Employment and Social Development Canada.

Factors behind high demand occupations

How are high demand occupations identified? Put simply, high demand occupations rank

high on job openings and employment, and

low on unemployment rate and excess supply

The Outlook lists three major factors that influence demand for workers:

How much the economy will grow

Trends in consumer spending, investment, international trade and government spending

Growth in sectors that are labour intensive

How productivity and skill requirements will change

Rising productivity that in some cases means fewer job openings

Increased productivity that in other cases makes us more competitive, leading to increased trade and increased job opportunities

Technological change

How many people will retire and when

Number of job openings resulting from replacement demand due to retirements and deaths

Later retirements coming from trends such as longer lifespans, better health, a preference to continue working longer, and financial need

Highly productive and experienced older workers leaving the workforce and needing replacement by more than one worker

Learn More

Find out more about the careers that interest you with WorkBC’s Career Profiles. Get all the details you need, including duties, job requirements, work environment, career paths and more. For 137 of these profiles, you can also watch a Career Trek video filmed right here in B.C.